Backyard ball park

ABSTRACT

This invention is a customizable outfield wall that will make a baseball playing field of any shape and in any size. The components of this invention create a measuring system that allow a person to build a uniquely shaped ballpark, record its dimensions, take the outfield wall down and then rebuild it in the exact same shape. The outfield wall height and length are customizable this allows a person to build an outfield wall of any height and in any length. This allows the invention to build a ballpark of a size suitable for a game of baseball played with a plastic ball and bat or of a size suitable for play with a conventional ball and bat.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FILED

I Matthew Daniel Pimental the being the sole inventor of this invention would like to cross-reference a provisional application that I filed at an earlier date. That provisional application number is 60/671,981 and has a filing date of Apr. 18, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball is played allover the world and is a favorite pastime of many countries. Often a community becomes known for the shape of the ballpark where its home team plays. The ballpark's shape becomes a symbol of that town. Baseball is played in many venues, from kids playing with plastic balls and bats to the major league players playing in large stadiums. Often in the smaller venues, ballparks are set up on a seasonal basis and taken down when the season is over. Most of these temporary ball fields are of the same cookie-cutter shape. This is due to the fact that in order to build ball field of a unique shape then recreate the identically shaped ballpark, you would have find exact coordinates on a field then build the outfield wall along those coordinates. That is a difficult, time consuming and expensive task particularly considering that many ball fields are set up on a temporary basis and removed at the end of the season. This invention allows a person or town to easily, efficiently and inexpensively build an outfield wall of a unique shape and record it's dimensions so the ballpark can be taken suitable for building smaller ballparks in the shape of larger ballparks; this allows players to play a baseball game with plastic bats and balls in a ballpark that has all the features and is in the shape of much larger ballparks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem with setting up a semi permanent, seasonal or temporary baseball field of a unique shape is that the same coordinates on the field every have to be located and an outfield wall has to be along those coordinates.

In the past markings on a field were used, but those can be dangerous if they are permanent and they disappear under the elements if they are not permanent. This invention finds the exact latitude and longitude coordinates of points on a field and builds a wall along those coordinates, creating a ballpark of a unique shape, inexpensively and without leaving permanent markings on the field. The invention can be set up, and taken down and stored so it can be set up again in different locations or stored and set up the next season in the same shape. The invention is customizable allowing people to build an outfield wall and ballpark of dimensions suitable for play with a conventional ball and bat or plastic ball and bat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a: Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device

FIG. 1 b: Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device with sections cut out.

FIG. 1 c: Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device of different heights.

FIG. 1 d: Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device Rolled up.

FIG. 2 a: Outfield Poles

FIG. 2 b: Labels

FIG. 3: Longitude Measuring Device

FIG. 4 a: Right Field Pole when installed.

FIG. 4 b: Construction first section of the outfield wall.

FIG. 4 c: First section of an outfield wall.

FIG. 5 a: Two sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 5 b: Three sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 6 a: Four sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 6 b: Five sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 7: Outfield wall with excess material trimmed off.

FIG. 8 a: Record the distance from home plate to Pole 1.

FIG. 8 b: Longitude Measuring Device recording longitude of Pole 2.

FIG. 8 c: Longitude Measuring Device recording longitude of Pole 3.

FIG. 8 d: Longitude Measuring Device recording longitude of Pole 4.

FIG. 8 e: Longitude Measuring Device recording longitude of Pole 5

FIG. 8 f: Longitude Measuring Device recording longitude of Pole 6.

FIG. 9 a: Attach the poles to the outfield wall with numbered labels.

FIG. 9 b: The Outfield Wall/Measuring Device, extended with Labeled Poles attached.

FIG. 9 c: The Outfield Wall/Measuring Device rolled up with Pole R exposed.

FIG. 10: Figure of the ballpark previously made.

FIG. 11: Pole locations of the previous park.

FIG. 12: Pole locations and figure of the outfield wall.

FIG. 13: Longitude Measuring Device and Pole 1.

FIG. 14: Ball field with just Pole 1 set up.

FIG. 15: Pole 2 revealing arc of possible latitude locations of Pole Location 2.

FIG. 16: Longitude Measuring Device and Pole 2 revealing coordinates of Pole Location 2

FIG. 17: First section of the recreated outfield wall.

FIG. 18: Longitude Measuring Device and Pole 3 on the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device revealing coordinates of Pole Location 3.

FIG. 19: Two sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 20: Longitude Measuring Device and Pole 4 on the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device revealing coordinates of Pole Location 4.

FIG. 21: Three sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 22: Longitude Measuring Device and Pole 5 on the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device revealing coordinates of Pole Location 5.

FIG. 23: Four sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 24: Longitude Measuring Device and Pole 6 on the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device revealing coordinates of Pole Location 6.

FIG. 25: Five sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 26: An exact duplicate of the previous ballpark has been created.

FIG. 27: The ballpark and carrying case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A kit comprised of components, that when used together allow a person to build a baseball ball field of a unique dimensions and shapes, record its dimensions, take it down then use the components to rebuild a ballpark in the exact same dimensions and shape. The components comprise a measuring system that determine the longitude and latitude coordinates of important locations that an outfield wall must follow in order to build a ballpark in a unique shape. The components are customizable; this allows a person to record how he made the ballpark so he can recreate the ballpark again over and over. The Components of the kit are a Longitude Measuring Device that will reveal the longitude location of the outfield wall, the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device that will be the outfield fence and will also reveal the latitude location of the wall and Poles that hold up the wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS COMPONENTS WITH REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS

Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device:

Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device acts as a measuring device and is also the outfield wall itself. It can be made of any type of material that typical fencing is made out of. A single length of strong pliable material similar to plastic mesh barrier fencing, which can be rolled up and is weather resistant, is suitable.

One end of the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device marked with an R.

FIG. 1 a

Cutting sections out of it can alter the Height of the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device.

FIG. 1 b

This will allow the outfield wall to be of varying heights.

FIG. 1 c

The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device is made out of pliable material, so it can be rolled up when the ballpark needs to be taken down.

FIG. 1 d

Poles of Varying Heights:

Poles that will hold up and support the outfield wall, of varying heights, which can easily be driven into the ground and removed when necessary. Any common pole sturdy enough to hold support the wall is suitable.

FIG. 2 a

Labels:

Numbered Labels and one Marked with an R made of material that will allow a label to be wrapped around the poles and through the wall. Securing the wall to the pole with the label.

FIG. 2 b

The Numbered Labels on the Poles and Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device will determine the latitude coordinates that the outfield wall will be built along giving the ballpark its unique shape.

The Longitude Measuring Device:

The Longitude Measuring Device will determine the longitude coordinates that the outfield wall will be built along giving the ballpark its unique shape.

The Longitude Measuring Device is line or rope or such pliable material. On one end of the line is a stake. Along the line there are numbered tabs and 1 tab that is labeled R. The tabs can be moved along the line and attached to the to the line at specific distances away from the stake.

FIG. 3

The Tabs on the Longitude Measuring Device will determine the longitude locations the wall will be built along giving the ballpark its unique shape.

Instructions on how a person uses the invention to initially make a Ball Park in any shape they wish:

The following is an example of one possible shape a person could make. The invention will make and record any shaped ballpark. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device initially comes rolled up with the end marked R exposed.

-   -   1. Drive a pole into the ground where you want right field to         begin. (The size of the pole you use to will determine the         height of the wall.)         -   FIG. 4 a     -   2. Attach the end labeled R of Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring         Device to the pole.         -   FIG. 4 b     -   3. Keeping the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device taut         unroll it to the LEFT of the pole in the direction you want you         outfield wall to go.     -   4. Install a pole at a location where you want your ballpark to         make a corner.     -   5. Attach the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device to that         Pole.         -   FIG. 4 c     -   6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until the Outfield Wall/Latitude         Measuring Device ends.         -   FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and FIGS. 6 a, 6 b     -   7. Trim the top of the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device         so it is the same height as height as the poles that support it.         -   FIG. 7

Instructions on how to use invention to record the coordinates of a uniquely shaped ballpark:

Part 1: Record the Longitude coordinates of your outfield poles with the tabs on the Longitude Measuring Device.

-   -   Step 1. Install the Longitude Measuring Device Stake into the         ground in the home plate area.     -   Step 2. Keeping the Longitude Measuring Device taut, extend it         along the ground so it passes the base of the right field pole.     -   Step 3. Attach the Tab Numbered R onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes Right Field Pole. (This         records the distance from Home plate area to where the pole         should be.)     -   FIG. 8 a     -   Step 4. Walking to the left extending the Longitude Measuring         Device away from the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut         until it passes right next to the base of the second Pole.     -   Step 5. Attach the Tab Numbered 2 onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes the Pole.     -   FIG. 8 b     -   Step 6. Walking to the left extending the Longitude Measuring         Device away from the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut         until it passes right next to the base of the second Pole.     -   Step 7. Attach the Tab Numbered 3 onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes the Pole.     -   FIG. 8 c     -   Step 8. Walking to the left extending the Longitude Measuring         Device away from the stake along the ground, keeping it taut         until it passes right next to the base of the second Pole.     -   Step 9. Attach the Tab Numbered 4 onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes the Pole.     -   FIG. 8 d     -   Step 10. Walking to the left extending the Longitude Measuring         Device away from the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut         until it passes right next to the base of the second Pole.     -   Step 11. Attach the Tab Numbered 5 onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes the Pole.     -   FIG. 8 e     -   Step 12. Walking to the left extending the Longitude Measuring         Device away from the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut         until it passes right next to the base of the second Pole.     -   Step 13. Attach the Tab Numbered 6 onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes the Pole.     -   FIG. 8 f

The Longitude Measuring Device line now has the tabs fixed to it at certain distances from the stake. The numbered and lettered tabs have recorded the distance from the home plate area to each individual pole. Each numbered tab will reveal the longitude coordinate of the identically numbered pole.

Part 2: Record the Latitude coordinates of your outfield poles with the tabs on the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device.

-   -   Step 1. Attach the Label R though the Outfield Wall/Latitude         Measuring Device and around the Right Field Pole securing the         pole to the fence at that specific location.     -   Step 2. Walk to the left and attach Label Numbered 2 through the         Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device and around the Pole 2         securing the pole to the fence at that specific location.     -   Step 3. Walk to the left and attach Label Numbered 3 through the         Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device and around Pole 3         securing the pole to the fence at that specific location.     -   Step 4. Walk to the left and attach Label Numbered 4 through the         Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device and around Pole 4         securing the pole to the fence at that specific location.     -   Step 5. Walk to the left and attach Label Numbered 5 through the         Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device and around Pole 5         securing the pole to the fence at that specific location.     -   Step 6. Walk to the left and attach Label Numbered 6 through the         Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device and around Pole 6         securing the pole to the fence at that specific location.         FIG. 9 a

The poles are attached to the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device at certain distances. The numbered labels have marked those poles with numbers. Each numbered pole will find the latitude coordinate of each identically numbered pole location.

FIG. 9 b

When it is time to take the ballpark and outfield wall down a person would roll the wall up starting from Pole 6 going to Pole R, so that Pole R is on the exterior of the roll.

FIG. 9 c

Instructions of how to use the invention to build a ballpark that consistently has the same dimensions and shape.

In order to build a baseball ballpark with an outfield wall the same specific shape and in specific dimensions as they did before, a person would need to find the longitude and latitude coordinates of the pole locations where they previously installed poles and attach the wall to those poles.

For instance in order to recreate the previous outfield wall and ballpark.

FIG. 10.

They would need to find the coordinates of these 6 pole locations (Numbered Pole Locations 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.)

FIG. 11

Then build the outfield wall by installing numbered poles into the correspondingly numbered pole locations.

FIG. 12

Then attach a wall to those poles

The Longitude Measuring Device will find the Longitude coordinate of each Pole Location. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device will find the Longitude coordinate.

Instructions:

Drive the Longitude Measuring Device Stake into the ground at the location where you want home plate to be.

Extend the Longitude Measuring Device Line away from the stake to where you want you're your right field wall to begin.

The distance from the stake to the Tab Marked R on the Longitude Measuring Device is distance from home plate to where the right outfield wall will begin. It is up to the person where they want to right field to begin.

FIG. 13

Install Outfield Pole 1 (R), where you want right field to begin at the distance away from home plate revealed by the Longitude Measuring Device.

FIG. 14

The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device is then unrolled to the LEFT and kept taut until Pole 2 is revealed.

The distance the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device spans to the left of the Outfield Pole R to Pole 2 creates an arc that determines all the possible latitude locations of the Pole location 2.

See FIG. 15

To find Pole location 3, you need to find its longitude location. The Longitude Measuring Device reveals this.

The Longitude Measuring Device is kept taunt and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered 2 is revealed. The distance between the Stake and the Tab 2 marked on the Longitude Measuring Device create an arc of possible Longitude coordinates of where Pole Location 2 could be.

The exact coordinates are where the arcs intersect, to the left of the Pole 1.

FIG. 16

The Outfield Pole 2 is driven into the ground at Pole location 2, where the arcs intersect.

FIG. 17

Note: The same steps are repeated over and over, always measuring to the left of the previous Outfield Pole. The identically numbered tabs and labeled poles; create arcs of possible longitude and latitude coordinates. The arcs intersect at only one spot in the world to the left of the previous pole. The spot where the arcs cross is the next Pole Location. In this manner the Measuring Devices reveal the latitude coordinate and the longitude coordinates of each Pole Location. People can use this invention to create a ballpark of a unique shape, every time. Complete instructions are detailed below.

Unroll the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device to the Left of Pole 2 keeping it taut until Pole 3 is revealed. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 3.

The Longitude Measuring Device is kept taunt and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered “3” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 3.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 3 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 2.

FIG. 18

Outfield Pole “3” is driven into the ground at Pole location 3.

FIG. 19

Unroll the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device to the Left of Pole 3 keeping it taut until Pole 4 is revealed. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 4.

The Longitude Measuring Device is kept taunt and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered “4” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 4.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 4 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 3.

FIG. 20

Outfield Pole “4” is driven into the ground at Pole location 4.

FIG. 21

Unroll the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device to the Left of Pole 4 keeping it taut until Pole 5 is revealed. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 5.

The Longitude Measuring Device is kept taunt and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered “5” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 5.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 5 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 4.

FIG. 22

Outfield Pole “5” is driven into the ground at Pole location 5.

FIG. 23

Unroll the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device to the Left of Pole 5 keeping it taut until Pole 6 is revealed. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 6.

The Longitude Measuring Device is kept taunt and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered “6” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 6.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 6 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 5.

FIG. 24

Outfield Pole “6” is driven into the ground at Pole location 5.

FIG. 25

You have now recreated the outfield wall exactly as you had built it before. Draw foul lines to where you want your home plate to be and you will have a uniquely shaped ballpark.

FIG. 26

The invention is portable. When the stakes are attached and the Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device is rolled up it can be stored in a carrying case allowing the ballpark to be set up, taken down and then easily transported and set up at another location.

FIG. 27 

1. A portable, customizable outfield wall that builds a baseball field of unique dimensions and sizes.
 2. A measuring system that records the location of the outfield wall allowing a person to rebuild the outfield wall and the baseball field in the identical shape. 